Valentine's Day has been dedicated to lovers, since the 14th century. This day was observed by young men and women, by sending messages and gifts to their lovers. People also commonly used the motif of a red heart. One tradition ascribes this custom of sending `valentines' or love-tokens to one's beloved.

Another tradition attributes the observance of the day to the fact that it falls within the mating season for birds and is, therefore, an appropriate season for young people to choose their `valentines' or lovers. It owed its origin to the continental medieval belief held generally in England and France, that it was at the beginning of the second fortnight of February, that the birds began to mate.